Apple AirPods Max (2021)

Best-in-class ANC ; Amazing transparency mode ; Excellent build quality ; Excellent sound quality ; Top-notch call quality

Charges via Lightning cable ; Heavy on head

High-luxury design ; Terrific, balanced sound quality ; Very effective noise cancellation ; Dependable and foolproof controls ; Spatial audio for immersive entertainment

Heavier than many competitors ; No 3.5mm jack ; Wired listening requires $35 cable ; Case is an abomination ; Apple Music can’t make the most of these headphones

Apple’s AirPods Max are its first noise-canceling, over-ear headphones. They have a stylish design, excellent sound quality, and unique features like spatial audio. But at $550, they also come at a much higher price than competitors like the Sony...

Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp, detailed highs ; High-quality active noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency rumble ; Stunning, unique design ; Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio ; Hands-free Siri access

Expensive ; Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren't for purists ; No user-adjustable EQ ; Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit ; Smart Case does little to protect the headphones

Apple's AirPods Max headphones deliver excellent audio performance, top-notch noise cancellation, and a bevy of useful features in an absolutely gorgeous design for a bit too much money.

Gorgeous design ; Great audio quality ; Powerful ANC ; Seamless integration with Apple devices

Expensive

Apple’s AirPods Max headphones combine beautiful design with powerful tech for great audio quality and best-in-class ANC.

Clear, well balanced sound ; Solid noise cancellation and stellar transparency mode ; Terrific controls for volume, playback, and ANC ; Tightly integrated with Apple ecosystem

Still uses Lightning rather than USB-C ; Wired listening requires a pricey adapter ; Smart Case offers no protection from the elements ; Relatively short battery life

If you love fantastic sound and you’re a fan of the clever little touches Apple puts into its products, there’s a lot to love in the AirPods Max.

Over 21 hours of continuous battery life. Great build quality. Outstanding noise cancelling.

Mic struggles to separate your voice from background noise. Mediocre breathability. Heavy, bulky design which can be fatiguing to wear. Audio cable not included. No NFC or multi-device pairing.

The Apple AirPods Max are good for neutral sound. These headphones have Adaptive EQ, which adjusts the audio as you're listening to it based on fit and seal. That said, their sound profile has a neutral mid-range that ensures detailed vocals and lead...

Amazing design ; Amazing build quality ; Simple to use and setup, especially with other Apple products ; The sound is outstanding ; The best ANC of any over-ear headphone that I've used ; Amazing call quality and reception ; The best Transparency Mode...

These boys are expensive, silly expensive ; The clacking of the two ear cups together might cause wear over time ; The lifespan of the headband mesh is questionable ; The smart case is ugly, just ugly

Pretty, clean design; Outstanding sound clarity and detail, no distortion; iCloud device pairing is always convenient; No on/off — they are always ready for use; Best Transparency Mode on the market

Hardware controls are in an awkward spot; Not the strongest noise cancellation out there; EQ is kind of bland and bass-heavy. Basically no user control over EQ; The case is just not a case; Price-to-value ratio is arguable

Fantastic sound quality ; Elite noise cancellation ; Great Apple-friendly features

Fit isn't always comfortable ; Average battery life ; No true analogue wired connection

AirPods Max deliver sound quality that's better than the noise-cancelling competition, with some great extra features to boot. But they're not a certain buy – the fit isn't ideal for everyone, the wired connectivity is frustrating, and we don't love...

Luxurious design and feel ; Easy-to-use controls ; Crisp and balanced sound ; Spatial audio is a game-changer ; Fantastic noise cancellation

Expensive ; No on/off switch ; Smart case provides no protection

If you can look past these caveats and have the dough to spend, the AirPods Max are your ticket to listening luxury. You might feel pressured to hop on the train with Apple’s legion of loyal customers, and I’m here to tell you that’s okay. The AirPods...